Pettigrew Heights Apartments Taking Shape

Another large project is taking shape close to downtown Sioux Falls. The Pettigrew Heights Apartment complex is about half finished, but when complete, it'll serve a dual purpose.

If you build it, they will come. That's what the city is hoping for with the new Pettigrew Heights Apartment complex going up at the corner of 11th Street and Duluth Avenue.

"In 2010, the city of Sioux Falls conducted a housing assessment study and what we found was one of the needs of the community was housing for seniors and elderly," Economic Development Manager Erica Beck said.

In fact, Beck says the need is so great, there's already a waiting list to get into one of the 69 units. It's being built by the Catholic Diocese to the tune of $7.5 million.

There will be some commercial development on the first floor, which Beck says will be great for those who will eventually call this place home.

"We're really excited it's located where it is. Those people will have easy access to invite their loved ones to come and visit them and have things to do within the general area," Beck said.

For the past several years, the city has made a concerted effort to cleanup this area of town that's had a history of crime and violence. This new apartment complex is the latest addition in long list of improvements that neighbors can be proud of and build on.

"The opportunity to form neighborhood watch areas and those types of things are really going to move forward in a much faster rate and that will create a safer neighborhood long term," Beck said.

The city says apartment complex won't be ready to move into until late next summer.